I asked for a dream on the new moon eclipse last night for clarity around my business and finances. The dream I received was crystal clear and super vivid: I am in my current bedroom and have just gotten out of bed when my dad (looking like he did when I was little….wearing a white t-shirt and khakis) walks in and lovingly tells me to go back to bed and take a nap.

How can that be? This is supposed to be the time of year when I feel all charged up and ready to take the world by storm. Unleash all my creative potential as new products and services. Write my next book. Deliver my new, powerful keynote. And instead, I am feeling called to exquisite self-care, self- love and self-compassion…..to go back to bed and take a nap!

Yes, I’ve read the books and attended the retreats. Heck, I’ve even taught movement classes at Self-Renewal Retreats for Renee Trudeau, the ultimate self-love/self-care guru herself! So my ego was pretty bruised by the realization that I clearly have not made self-love a sustainable and integral part of my life.

It’s not news to me that self-love must come before any outward expression of love is possible. I grew up with the words from Jesus, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” And it’s not news to me that I’m in need of self-care after 3 years of being a working, single parent while my husband has had to be away. But the part of me that is self-critical and self-judgmental is struggling with having the self-compassion to believe I am really worthy of receiving the love and care I need.

One thing I know for sure. The dream struck a powerful chord in me. And I also know that my work must be authentic and in alignment. So, I am declaring 2011 as my year of Self-Love.

Thanks for sharing that beautiful dream and insight. I planned to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s on all sorts of projects, but instead have found myself daydreaming around the house, not accomplishing much and beating myself up for it. Now I am going to re-envision it as my week of self love. I have made this my year of renaissance reinvention, time to own my creativity and share it with the world. A big part of that is being authentic, so thanks for reminding me that when I want a nap, that is exactly what I should do!

Ginger

January 7, 2011 at 2:08 pm (6 years ago)

Deb,

I love your dream and I love your Dad and I don’t even know him but I know he is a wise and wonderful man. I so resonate with this. My whole life I have worked hard, struggled to survive and it has never been so clear to me that now is the time to take care of myself, love myself and just thrive being who I am. I support and honor 2011 being the year of Self Love for you and me and everyone because we sure could use that in the world.
Hugs, Ginger

Anne Buhlig

January 7, 2011 at 2:36 pm (6 years ago)

I love asking for our dreams to give us clarity! I have several themes this year: personal healing, financial balance & abundance, and alignment with my purpose/my truth. I’m excited about 2011!

Judy Ancell

January 7, 2011 at 4:01 pm (6 years ago)

Its fitting that your comments were about rest. One of my new years resolutions is to get more sleep. One of my doctors said that I have been sleep deprived for years. Until about 5 years ago I functioned veryw ell on 4-5 hours sleep per night. I no longer can do that and am working on eliminating non-essentials from my daily schedule.

Hi Deb,
Thanks for sharing your dream! Yes, I have been strongly called to “teach” about self-care, but was suddenly stopped in my tracks when I realized that I cannot inspire others to self-care when I have some feelings of “unworthiness” related to doing that for myself. Incongruency =stuck energy.
I also noticed that I manifest a “cold” when I need some time to myself, to read, to rest, to dream. That is, perhaps, my way of allowing myself that time without guilt. In shining a light on this, it will disappear. This year, I will ALLOW myself the pleasure of my pleasures and teach others to do the same

Joyce Beck

January 10, 2011 at 9:35 pm (6 years ago)

Love it!!! “go back to bed!” I am with you Dr Deb…this is the year of self love…taking gentle care of your precious soul and being! My manta for 2011…turn the computer off,text less, call more,read more novels, play more…more human CONTACT…voice, touch ..on my way to bed

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